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4 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash - military

June 22, 2009 1:44pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Four Abu Sayyaf bandits holding captive an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker were killed in a clash with government troops in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, a military official said Monday.

Western Mindanao Command information officer 1Lt. Stephanie Cacho said the incident happened at 6:05 a.m. Sunday along the boundary of Tukay and Puagan villages in the town of Parang.

Cacho said the troops from the 3rd Marine Brigade were scouring the area when they chanced upon the bandits.

She said the group was headed by Abu Sayyaf leaders Umbra Jumdail alias "Dr. Abu" and Albader Parad, who are still holding Italian ICRC worker Eugenio Vagni.

Vagni, a water specialist for the ICRC’s water project in the province, was kidnapped along with colleagues Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter on January 15 in the town of Patikul. Lacaba and Notter were released last April.

It was not known whether Vagni was with the group of bandits that fought the soldiers, she said. – GMANews.TV